What did they do? What did they see? What did they say? Go to these primary source materials and get first-hand accounts of the western expansion of the U.S. Click on the phrases to access the resource.
Lewis and Clark diary Lewis and Clark kept a journal of their trip. It includes their descriptions of animals they had never seen before (like bison), native people they met, and problems they encountered. You can read all about it in their own words
Lewis and Clark expedition This is another version of the Lewis and Clark journal. Same material, but organized differently.
Trail of Tears Journal Entries What was it like to travel the Trail of Tears. Learn about it from people who experienced it.
Pioneer of 1846 Pioneers traveling along the Oregon Trail had a variety of experiences and endured some difficulties. Read this sketch of what it was like to be a pioneer in 1846.
An African American Pioneer There were few African American pioneers who wrote of their adventures. Learn about Alvin Coffey's experiences from his diary.
Crossing the Plains in 1846 Women struggled beside the men on the trail to the West. This is the story of Elizabeth Estes, told when she was elderly.
Magazine Articles
Click on the article title to access the material.
"Why Lewis and Clark Matter" Lewis and Clark changed the future of the United States by their discoveries. This magazine article explains why those two men were so important to U.S. history.
"Emigrant Wagons Roll Onward" This is a short article that is told from an historic perspective. It deals with the daily events along the trails west.
"They Ate What?" One of the most surprising things to learn about Lewis and Clark is discovering what they ate on their journey. Yuck!
"Louisiana Purchase" The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the young United States. Here is
"Land for Sale" If you were buying land, you'd get a really good deal if you could buy it at 4¢ an acre. That's just what Thomas Jefferson did.
"Mr. Jefferson's Expedition" "Ocian in view!" No one every said the Lewis and Clark could spell. What they did, however, was open up the West to settlement.
"By the Numbers: Loading a Pioneer Wagon" You only have a small amount of space—so what are you taking and how are you going to pack the wagon? Read this article and find out.
"Following in the Footsteps of our (Cherokee) Ancestors" The Cherokee people were one of the Five Civilized Tribes, but they were forced to move to Oklahoma anyway. Read what the descendants of the travelers say about their ancestors.
"Indian Removal and Andrew Jackson" Andrew Jackson felt that he was doing the right thing for the United States by removing all the native people east of the Mississippi River.
In Their Own Words
What did they do? What did they see? What did they say? Go to these primary source materials and get first-hand accounts of the western expansion of the U.S. Click on the phrases to access the resource.
Lewis and Clark diary Lewis and Clark kept a journal of their trip. It includes their descriptions of animals they had never seen before (like bison), native people they met, and problems they encountered. You can read all about it in their own words
Lewis and Clark expedition This is another version of the Lewis and Clark journal. Same material, but organized differently.
Trail of Tears Journal Entries What was it like to travel the Trail of Tears. Learn about it from people who experienced it.
Pioneer of 1846 Pioneers traveling along the Oregon Trail had a variety of experiences and endured some difficulties. Read this sketch of what it was like to be a pioneer in 1846.
An African American Pioneer There were few African American pioneers who wrote of their adventures. Learn about Alvin Coffey's experiences from his diary.
Crossing the Plains in 1846 Women struggled beside the men on the trail to the West. This is the story of Elizabeth Estes, told when she was elderly.
Magazine Articles
Click on the article title to access the material."Why Lewis and Clark Matter" Lewis and Clark changed the future of the United States by their discoveries. This magazine article explains why those two men were so important to U.S. history.
"Emigrant Wagons Roll Onward" This is a short article that is told from an historic perspective. It deals with the daily events along the trails west.
"They Ate What?" One of the most surprising things to learn about Lewis and Clark is discovering what they ate on their journey. Yuck!
"Louisiana Purchase" The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the young United States. Here is
"Land for Sale" If you were buying land, you'd get a really good deal if you could buy it at 4¢ an acre. That's just what Thomas Jefferson did.
"Mr. Jefferson's Expedition" "Ocian in view!" No one every said the Lewis and Clark could spell. What they did, however, was open up the West to settlement.
"By the Numbers: Loading a Pioneer Wagon" You only have a small amount of space—so what are you taking and how are you going to pack the wagon? Read this article and find out.
"Following in the Footsteps of our (Cherokee) Ancestors" The Cherokee people were one of the Five Civilized Tribes, but they were forced to move to Oklahoma anyway. Read what the descendants of the travelers say about their ancestors.
"Indian Removal and Andrew Jackson" Andrew Jackson felt that he was doing the right thing for the United States by removing all the native people east of the Mississippi River.